You might be viewing the final vehicle crafted by Walkinshaw Automotive at the former Holden test facility in Lang Lang, since the site has transferred to a defence contractor.

Nearly four decades after the HSV VL Commodore Group A SS debuted, and following work on multiple dual-cab 4x4 utes including the prior Volkswagen Amarok, Walkinshaw returns to the German marque with this creation: the Amarok W600.

Volkswagen labels it the ultimate driver's ute, echoing BMW phrasing. Still, the claim is bold.

The prior Amarok W580X leaned more off-road than the road-oriented W580S, yet Walkinshaw's latest directive was to refine the second-generation, Ford Ranger-based Amarok for engaging road manners, where most owners drive most often per Volkswagen data.

VW staff note this model does not directly rival the Ford Ranger Raptor, even though the Raptor served as a benchmark during W600 development.

The Raptor has been around for years and remains highly popular. With the W600 we avoided direct rivalry with the Raptor, explained Michael Cenci, Product Manager for Amarok at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia.

We felt the Ford Ranger Raptor did not match what our buyers requested. Customers sought a ute that excels on roads, feels refined and delivers a Euro premium character, he shared with CarExpert.

That rival also sacrifices towing and payload capacity, areas where this vehicle shows no compromise.

This observation holds merit. Ranger Raptor buyers accept reduced payload and towing that falls from 3500kg to 2500kg.

The W600 preserves the payload and towing figures of the base Amarok Style model.

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Yet while the Raptor packs a potent twin-turbo petrol V6, the W600 retains the turbo-diesel V6 shared across the Amarok range.

So what sets the Amarok W600 apart?

Styling leads the changes. Since early teaser shots of the current Amarok surfaced, Walkinshaw lead designer Julian Quincey has refined a more robust variant. The outcome includes a fresh front bumper, Walkinshaw W logo in the grille and wider wheel arches.

Paired with new 20-inch alloy wheels also penned by Walkinshaw, the W600 gains a bolder, more solid profile. The 10-inch-wide wheels, increased from 7.5 inches, plus an aggressive offset create a commanding stance and stronger road presence without excess flash.

Additional features include power-retractable side steps, a dual exhaust with side-exit tips in shadow chrome and 285/50R20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres.

The core update lies beneath. Following Peter Brock principles, Walkinshaw removed the front anti-roll bar and added a 22mm rear anti-roll bar, even without factory mounts since other Amaroks lack a rear sway bar.

To achieve this, Walkinshaw welds drop-link mounts to the ladder frame and installs forged knuckles on the axle that mirror Volkswagen originals.

Walkinshaw also collaborated with Koni to develop custom dampers tuned in-house, blending top elements from FSD and Raid lines.

CarExpert joined a select group of outlets at Lang Lang Proving Ground to sample pre-production Amarok W600 units, though the variant was not fully approved.

Our session proved brief and steady rain plus surface water prevented full exploration of limits.

Still, it offered an initial impression with several encouraging signs.

What is the Volkswagen Amarok price?

Cost for the 2027 Volkswagen Amarok W600 by Walkinshaw remains undisclosed.

Model	Price before on-road costs
2026 Volkswagen Amarok Style pickup TSI452	$73,740
2026 Volkswagen Amarok Style pickup TDI600	$73,740
2026 Volkswagen Amarok Style Tray TDI600	$77,740
2026 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana pickup TDI600	$78,990
2026 Volkswagen Amarok Aventura pickup TDI600	$82,990
2026 Volkswagen Amarok Dark Label pickup TDI600	TBC

Volkswagen recently updated the Amarok lineup, removing Core and Life grades and positioning Style as the entry model. The premium Aventura drops the 2.3-litre turbo-petrol engine, though that powertrain now appears in the Style alongside the turbo-diesel V6.

As first noted by CarExpert in December 2025 after the global withdrawal of the Ford-sourced 2.0-litre biturbo diesel, major fleet buyers may still order the four-cylinder Amarok Core TDI405 with an upgraded 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel producing 125kW and 405Nm, though this grade stays unavailable to private buyers or smaller fleets.

Note that Volkswagen currently offers drive-away deals on MY25 Amarok models, detailed in our EOFY summary.

To compare the Volkswagen Amarok against rivals, use our comparison tool

How does the Volkswagen Amarok feel inside?

Although based on the Amarok Style, the W600 draws select interior elements from the flagship Aventura.

Few cues mark it as a W600 inside, limited to brushed sills with the Walkinshaw logo, aluminium sports pedals, puddle lamps and W shield stitching on headrests and carpets.

The power-retractable side steps stand out as a neat addition, typical on large US pickups yet novel in this class. Walkinshaw rejected off-the-shelf options and engineered these steps anew, referencing American pickup units.

As a science enthusiast I tested the steps by jumping repeatedly to simulate a night outdoors with friends and refreshments. Minor flex appeared yet nothing failed and function continued as designed.

Beyond these details the cabin mirrors the standard Amarok, which is positive.

The highlight remains the 12-inch portrait infotainment screen paired with a volume knob and shortcut buttons beneath.

The PRND lever offers welcome simplicity and a dial selects rear-wheel drive, auto four-wheel drive, high-range four-wheel drive or low-range four-wheel drive.

The push-button start sits in the expected spot and headlight controls are straightforward. The sole quirk is the left-side indicator stalk, one of few distinctions from the Ranger platform.

The steering wheel is a Volkswagen piece with physical buttons and leather wrap that suits the hands comfortably.

Seats prove supportive and comfortable. Rear space accommodates two adults adequately, though I bumped a knee on the console when entering. As a fair observer I attribute this to Volkswagen.

The Amarok has long offered one of the better cabins in the dual-cab ute segment and the W600 introduces little change inside versus the standard model.

An if it is not broken approach applies here, though added touches would better highlight the Walky Roc nickname I am promoting as a driver's ute from behind the wheel.

Absence of fake carbon fibre trim is welcome given the roughly 2.4-tonne weight, and Walkinshaw colours stay black and white, limiting bright accents while preserving the theme. The W600 carries understated appeal that a vivid red cabin would diminish.

Volkswagen staff requested feedback on the W600 before final approval, mindful of production cost limits.

Still I suggest adding white contrast stitching to the steering wheel and a plaque on the console. Plaques appeal to owners and may support resale.

To compare the Volkswagen Amarok against rivals, use our comparison tool

What powers the Volkswagen Amarok?

The Volkswagen Amarok W600 uses the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 with 184kW and 600Nm, paired to a 10-speed automatic.

Specifications	Volkswagen Amarok W600
Engine	3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6
Power	184kW
Torque	600Nm
Transmission	10-speed automatic with low-range
Drive type	Four-wheel drive
Fuel economy (claimed)	TBC
CO2 emissions (claimed)	TBC
Fuel tank	80-litre
Weight	TBC
Payload	TBC
Braked towing capacity	3500kg
Gross vehicle mass (GVM)	3350kg
Gross combination mass (GCM)	6400kg

Selectable rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and high- and low-range four-wheel drive remain available.

Volkswagen confirmed the 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 from the Ford Ranger Raptor could not be fitted to the W600.

Performance matches other V6 Amaroks and while no confirmation exists yet, a future performance upgrade package may become available.

To compare the Volkswagen Amarok against rivals, use our comparison tool

How does the Volkswagen Amarok drive?

Volkswagen allowed a baseline drive in the standard Amarok V6 before the W600.

Manufacturers provide such comparisons only when clear gains exist, signalling confidence here.

The wet conditions and standing water also highlighted the limitations of the Amarok Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tyres in rain, though that was likely unintended.

Reacquainting with the Amarok proved useful. It offers a strong powertrain, adequate brakes in typical use and acceptable ride and handling for a body-on-frame light commercial ute.

Driving the Amarok hard, especially in wet conditions on those tyres, reveals limits quickly.

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Even though the Amarok ranks among top dual-cabs, aggressive driving exposes shortfalls in braking, lateral grip and chassis response.

This makes the Volkswagen Amarok W600 notable, as it advances on-road performance markedly.

The three primary differences versus the standard Amarok are grip, body roll and comfort.

Ride comfort is not the headline yet stems from high-quality dampers expertly calibrated for this ute.

Koni valving keeps the shocks responsive to body lean while still soaking up potholes, tracks and bumps. The ute feels stable on road yet comfortable over uneven surfaces, an impressive result for a ladder-frame model with rear leaf springs.